NEW BEDFORD — State education officials visited Crayon Campus Inc. in New Bedford on Monday to announce 110 new contracts awarded to 110 early education and child care programs.
The contracts represent $402 million a year, amounting to 19,000 contracted seats for families eligible for financial aid with child care, according to a press release from the Healey-Driscoll Administration.
According to the release, it's the first time in the last 15 years Massachusetts has "re-procured" the contracts, which are meant to give state and federal support to child care providers to benefit the demographics they serve.
It's also the first time the Department of Early Education and Care have given priority to seats specifically for "infants and toddlers ... in areas where there is more demand for seats than seats available, as well as for families with the most needs, including for children with young parents under age 24 and for children experiencing homelessness."
In addition to providing financial assistance and the seats themselves, the resources provided through the contracts can be used for support services including transportation.
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Which kids and families will get priority for child care?
Child care providers are able to bid for a portion of the contracted seats, "for families who are income-eligible for child care financial assistance and/or for contracted seats for families considered 'priority populations.'"
These include "families experiencing homelessness, young parents, and families working with DCF," the release reads.
According to the Healey Administration, the EEC's contracts include provisions for the following:
- seven new providers supporting seats for families working with DCF;
- 11 new providers supporting seats for children of young parents;
- 25 new providers supporting seats for homeless families;
- 10 new providers supporting seats for income-eligible families.
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State officials: This is a 'historic' investment in child care
Massachusetts Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw, and Children and Families Commissioner Staverne Miller were on hand at Crayon Campus to make the announcement.
“For many children, these contracted child care slots are their first exposure to early education and we are excited for this expansion,” Miller stated in the release. “Children are safest when they are visible in their communities and, for young children, the availability of child care programs like Crayon Campus is critical.
"We also know that supportive relationships that children develop with educators and their peers is key to well-being, helping to counteract trauma and improve mental health.”
“With the high cost of child care being a burden for many families in New Bedford and across Massachusetts, this historic re-procurement and investment in early childhood education and care programs will benefit low-income families and make child care financial assistance programs more accessible,” said state Rep. Antonia Cabral, D-New Bedford.
How does child care financial aid in Mass. work?
As outlined in the release, child care financial assistance is distributed to families "through contracts with providers to secure a set number of seats for families, and vouchers which are portable and families can use at any program that accepts child care financial assistance."
"The state’s programs are funded federally through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and by the state through multiple EEC line items. This fiscal year, the Healey-Driscoll administration and Legislature delivered $872 million towards child care financial assistance," the release reads.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Education officials in New Bedford tout 'historic' move to boost child care: What to know
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